Team South Africa Announced for the 2013 ISA World Longboard Championship

The first ever South African Longboard surfing team members were awarded their National Colours by Mark Hoffman, the President of Surfing South Africa, on Sunday August 25th.

The team of three Men, one Woman and a Manager will represent South Africa at the inaugural ISA World Longboard Championships in Huanchaco, Peru from September 22 – 28.

Team Members:

Thomas King (Open Men Longboard)

Justin Bing (Open Men Longboard)

Simone Robb (Open Women Longboard)

Ethan Pentz (Junior Under-18 Boy or Girl)

Team Official

Team Manager: Deon Bing

Justin Bing (ZAF)placed 9th in the past 2011 ISA World Surfing Games in Panama.

In another remarkable “first” all the team members are from the Western Cape which underlines the strength and depth of longboard surfing in the area.

SA Longboard Surfing Association President William Davis was a proud man as he introduced the team members to the gathering of family and friends on Sunday evening.

Heading up the group is Justin Bing, who earns his third South African cap as longboard surfer. Bing has also represented South Africa twice at the ISA World SUP Championships.

His previous longboard caps were as a member of the composite South African Surfing Team which competed in the ISA World Surfing Games in 2010 and 2011. Joining him in Peru is current South African champion Thomas King who earned his place in the side after a fine performance at the South African Longboard Championships earlier this year. South African Women’s champion Simone Robb, widely regarded as South Africa’s most accomplished longboard surfers, will become the first woman to represent South Africa at an ISA World Longboard Championships and South Africa Under 18 champion Ethan Pentz will represent the country as the Junior longboarder in the team.

The charismatic and popular Deon Bing has been appointed Manager of what is certainly a strong and committed South African team.

According to the International Surfing Association, the World Longboard championships was created due to the popularity of the longboard division at the ISA World Games. Adding the stand alone event to the ISA calendar means that not only will countries be able to send more competitors to the annual championship but will eventually ensure that women get a chance to participate in the event.

Over 100 longboard surfers from over 25 countries are expected to take part in the championships which will determine a Gold medal team title and three individual World champions.

Surfing South Africa is recognized by the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) as the governing body for surf riding in South Africa. SSA is made up of surfers, Longboard surfers, Bodyboarders and Stand Up Paddle Surfers and is a member of the International Surfing Association (ISA), the World governing body for surf riding.

The South African Longboard Surfing Association (SALSA) is an affiliate of Surfing South Africa and responsible for the selection of South African Longboard Surfing Team.